In July 2004, Brian Boyle's life was changed in an instant. His car was sideswiped by a speeding dump truck in Maryland. First responders thought Boyle was dead.

"Heart went across my chest, shattered ribs, shattered pelvis, collapsed lungs, pretty much every major organ was damaged," Boyle said.

In additions, Boyle lost 60 percent of his blood and spent two months in a medically induced coma. Boyle remembers waking up unable to move.

"It was like waking up into a living nightmare," Boyle said.

With the lift of a finger or a simple smile, each movement after the crash was a milestone -- especially the first step, after doctors said Boyle would never walk again.

A typical human body has, on average, 10 pints of blood. Boyle received 36 pints -- or four and a half gallons -- during transfusions, all donated by volunteers.

"I'll never meet these people but they're out there, they donated for me, that one hour of time saved my life," Boyle said.

Because of the experience, Boyle is now an ambassador with the American Red Cross. Boyle completed his first half Ironman triathlon just three years after the accident. That's more than 70 miles of swimming, biking, and running. Boyle said despite the obstacles, he wouldn't change a thing.

"It's much more than a car accident. It's taking life and making the most of it. Taking those moments of grief and obstacles and making the most of them," Boyle said.